Local theater group, the Ponderosa Players, brings the musical, Ride the Cyclone (High School Edition) to life February 19-22 at Open Space Event Studios, in Bend. Known for their pre-professional youth theater productions, the Ponderosa Players are poised to deliver this cult hit musical, which blends humor and emotion, while adding in some amazing technical feats.
Ride the Cyclone gained quite a following during the COVID-19 pandemic, with clips from a Washington, D.C. production captivating TikTok viewers everywhere. The story follows six high school students who find themselves in a sort of purgatory, between life and death, after a tragic roller coaster accident. Guided by a sentient fortune-telling machine, The Amazing Karnak, the students compete for a chance to return to Earth by singing and dancing their way. This high school edition includes edits that make the content accessible to young performers.
“The edits they made to the show are really smart,” says Ponderosa Players co-founder Kisky Holwerda. “It’s a truly hilarious show, and they preserved the quality of the original script amazingly well.”
The cast features seven local students aged 14 – 18, with two swings covering multiple roles. The incorporation of swings is a new approach for the Ponderosa Players and presents an exciting educational opportunity for the two alternates. While swings will not perform except in the case of illness or injury to the principal cast, they not only attend every rehearsal but also master dialogue, music and choreography for several parts. This intense job helps them hone a wide range of skills for success in professional theater. As a group, the dedicated cast members rehearse nine hours a week for ten weeks.
In addition to the cast, Ride the Cyclone features a live band, creative lighting and projection and choreography that even includes a unique “flying” effect. Limited by space and unable to rely on traditional rigging, the Ponderosa Players enlisted former University of Oregon cheerleading coach Kasey Holwerda to teach lifts that create the illusion of flight. The result? A visually stunning spectacle that pushes the boundaries of youth theater.
Holwerda also hints that the band acts as an additional member of the cast, saying, “The audience is in for an exciting surprise. I can’t wait for them to see the way the band takes part in the action.” Staged in the round, where actors perform in the center and the audience surrounds the stage, this production fully immerses theater-goers.
Since its founding in 2023 by Grey Conant and Kisky Holwerda, the Ponderosa Players have prioritized fostering community, creativity and professionalism. Their core values – Positivity, Perseverance, Preparation and Pals – guide every class and production. Students of all experience levels can train year-round in classes, while audition-only MainStage productions offer the opportunity to develop performance skills in a rigorous, supportive environment.
Ponderosa Players also employs a full creative team – music director, choreographer, stage manager, costume designer, lighting designer, set builder and more to bring every production to life on stage.
“Each show is a massive undertaking because of the standard Ponderosa Players sets – we give our students an incredible experience and our audiences a phenomenal show,” says Holwerda.
For more information about classes and auditions, visit ponderosaplayers.com. Youth theater productions would not be possible without the support of sponsors. If you’re interested in supporting youth theater education in Central Oregon, please reach out to info@ponderosaplayers.com
This article appears in BendNest Spring 2025.
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